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Orca Breach
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Orca Breach

by Katie Jones

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 18, 2015186 views11 comments
I live on San Juan Island in Washington State. The local endangered Southern Resident killer whale population is a popular photo subject for many who visit the area and a regular photo subject for me since I spend my summer months teaching the public about these wonderful creatures. The orca featured in this image is a large adult male known as L92 "Crewser".

~Camera and Settings~
Body: Pentax K7
Lens: Pentax DA* 300mm
ISO 250, f/8.0, 1/1250sec

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Jim Gavin on November 18, 2015 at 9:21 PM
Another member from the Pacific Northwest. Welcome to NPN.  Be sure to post some photos in the PNW forum. Excellent start to your postings. Exceptional photo of "L92 'Crewser"'.  Nothing but positive comments.
Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments
Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on November 18, 2015 at 11:05 PM
Wow, this is gorgeous, Katie! Welcome to NPN. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to photograph Orca's, but I hope I can get an image as good as this one day.
Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Kennedy on November 19, 2015 at 12:04 AM
Hi Katie!  Welcome to NPN!  I want to echo Jim's comment about the Pacific Northwest forum. 

This is a great first post.  You captured a very active Mr. Crewser.  I like everything about this shot.  Well done!
Registered on March 9, 2009, 79 Posts, 676 Comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 19, 2015 at 12:54 AM
Sweet shot, Katie, and welcome to NPN.  I've never been blessed with this kind of action from orcas.  This is a great way to show off our "back yard."

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on November 19, 2015 at 1:03 AM
Katie,

for me this is  a great picture since you were able to include also the background very nicely. The different layers of the mountains give the image a type of 3D effect that is very beneficial for the composition.
Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on November 19, 2015 at 3:39 AM
Katie,
What a wonderful startdevil

If I had to be terribly picky making the boat disappear might be nice?
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 19, 2015 at 7:40 AM
Great action n wonderful backdrop, love those shades of blue. Welcome to NPN, you just had a jump start like this Orca!blush
I too believe like Ken, this boat has to go.
Jagdeep Rajput
Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments
Comment posted by Katie Jones on November 19, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Thanks for the great welcome and the nice comments, everyone! As a photography addict, I am very excited to be a part of this network and to view the work of others. Cheers!
Registered on November 17, 2015, 17 Posts, 91 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 20, 2015 at 1:19 PM
Just stunning.  I visited the San Juan Islands for my 30th birthday this year and fell in love with the place.  We were fortunate enough to see and photograph Orcas (J-Pod) one day and it was incredible  There is nothing to nitpic here - this is one of the best I have ever seen.  Please check out my gallery if you're interested in seeing some images from your part of the world.
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 21, 2015 at 10:54 AM
The angle for lighting couldn't have been better.  Perfectly timed and provides a great sense of place.  Welcome!
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on November 21, 2015 at 8:19 PM
Welcome to NPN Katie. Nice to see something we don't get too often to view on this site. Nice timing on this Orca. Comp is great with a very nice BG.
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments